Cancer cases are on the high rise in India. In 2018, 7.33 % of cases will increase to 7.90% in 2020.

Dr. Jagandeep Virk is an Oncologist at Paras Hospital in Chandigarh. He has 11 years of experience in the field of oncology. 

Risk Factors of Cancer 

Dr. Jagandeep Virk says, “The risk factors for cancer cases are as follows - 

• Lifestyle changes into modernization 

• No physical activity 

• Increasing screen time  

• Lack of exercise 

• Change in dietary habits 

• Obesity - which may lead to breast cancer 

• Sedentary lifestyle 

• Diabetes 

• Wrong lifestyle choices 

• Chewing tobacco - oral cancer

• Alcohol consumption

• Inhalation of passive smoking.” 

Blood test detection for cancer 

Dr. Jagandeep Virk informs, “ There are some important screening tests such as - 

• Blood test CEA for hepatocellular (liver) cancer
• CA- 125 - Blood test for ovarian cancer 
• Tumor markers for specific cancer

Screening and blood tests with tumor markers can help in the detection of cancer.”

Stages of cancer 

Dr. Jagandeep Virk states, “The stages of cancer especially in cases of bone cancer which is also called as sarcoma is as follows- 

• Stage 1- Localised to the organ 
• Stage 2 - May spread to adjacent organs and nerves 
• Stage 3 - May enter the bloodstream or lungs
• Stage 4- Metastasis to other parts of the body.”

Stage 5 cancer survival rate

Dr. Jagandeep Virk states, “Stage 4 cancer is terminal cancer which is the last stage of cancer. In India, due to lack of medical awareness, help, and detection, they reach an advanced stage of cancer- Stage 4. Stage 4 cancer patients cannot be cured but can be controlled with- 

• Chemotherapy 
• Immunotherapy 
• Surgery 

This can improve the quality of life depending on the remaining years of survival. We can take care of the severity of cancer and pain-related cancer. Stage 4 patients respond well at times to certain above treatments. They can live for up to 5-10 years in a healthy life. Stage 4 is not fatal and a lot of therapies can be offered to patients. 

Diagnosis of cancer 

Dr. Jagandeep Virk informs, “If you are leading a normal healthy balanced lifestyle and not letting risk factors affect them, there is no screening test required. But with age, you may need the following screening tests which is as follows- 

In females- 

• Breast examination 
• Mammography

In males-

• PSA test for prostate cancer after 45 - 50 years once in a year 

In the Western population- Colon cancer 

• Endoscopy 
• Tumour marker blood test 

In healthy young people- 

• Simple routine test once a year 

Rapid Fire

Can depression cause cancer? Dr. Jagandeep Virk says, “No.”

Does workout help in the treatment of cancer? Dr. Jagandeep Virk states, “Yes physical workout helps in prevention of cancer. Workout is important to stay active. We do recommend cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and surgery to take out some time for exercise.”

Is chemotherapy painful? Dr. Jagandeep Virk states, “Chemotherapy is not painful and does have certain side effects. Once the entire course of chemotherapy is done, everything returns to normalcy.